Mizoram CM Zoramthanga and his Mizo National Front must retain power in the state for the sake of peace process in North East, NCP General Secretary Purno A Sangma has said.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and his Mizo National Front must retain power in the state for the sake of peace process in the North East, Nationalist Congress Party General Secretary Purno A Sangma said on Tuesday.

Sangma, who was here to campaign for the ruling MNF for the state assembly polls on November 20, told a press conference that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani had reposed their confidence in Zoramthanga and invited him to be a key player in the North East peace process.

"Zoramthanga is one of the few leaders in the region whose role in the peace process has been recognised by the Centre," the former Lok Sabha speaker said.

"Zoramthanga's continuance as chief minister is important not only for peace but for development in the state," Sangma said adding he and Nagaland chief minister would come again to campaign for the MNF.

Lauding the performance of the MNF during its five-year stint, he said the government performed well and had made Mizoram a model state in the North East in terms of political stability, enlightened and stable society.

The NCP, he said, would not contest the assembly elections in Mizoram but support MNF candidates.